Indus Appstore co-founder Akash Dongre exits PhonePe-owned Play Store rival
Dongre steps down after over a decade, leaving the homegrown Android app marketplace under new leadership. Indus Appstore, acquired by PhonePe in July 2022 and publicly launched February 2024, has crossed 150 million users across 12 Indian languages and recently onboarded Xiaomi India.
What happened
Akash Dongre, co-founder of PhonePe-owned Indus Appstore, has stepped down after over a decade. The homegrown Play Store alternative, launched February 2024,
Key facts
- 150 million users
- 12 Indian languages
- 2013 founding
- July 2022 acquisition
- February 2024 launch
Why this matters
Leadership vacuum at India's leading Play Store alternative could open windows for OEM partnership renegotiations, talent pickups from the Indus team, or recalibrated distribution deals as PhonePe consolidates control.